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The cash envelope budgeting system gives you the flexibility to set up as many cash envelope categories as you want.
Are you struggling with your budget that you can’t seem to make it work? Then it is time to try a practical way of budgeting—the cash envelope budgeting method.
With this method, you can set up cash envelope categories, so that you can keep track of your expenses easily.
What Is A Cash Envelope For Budgeting
The cash envelope system of budgeting was popularized by Dave Ramsey and has been helping many people stick with their budgeting.
You can learn more about the cash envelope budget system here.
Why Should One Use Cash Envelopes?
One of the most effective ways to stay on top of your budget is to use cash envelopes.
This method gives you a visual way of keeping your spending in check and will even make you spend less.
Check out these pretty cash envelope templates that you can use to inspire your budget.
Dave Ramsey Envelope System Categories
Each of your cash envelopes corresponds to your budget categories. Here are some of the cash envelope categories list or budget binder envelope ideas that Dave Ramsey recommends.
- Food
- Gas
- Clothing
- Entertainment
- Utilities
- Medicine
- Personal
Cash Envelope Category Ideas
With the cash envelope system, you get to decide what goes into your budget and what budget category can get an envelope.
You can set as many cash envelope categories as you want and organize them in a cash envelope wallet organizer.
Here are some cash envelope ideas that are helpful.
Food
- Grocery shopping
- Dining Out
- Carryout
- Starbucks
- Work Lunches
- School Lunches
Transportation
- Gas
- Car Maintenance
- Car Tires
- Licenses/Taxes/DMV
- Car Repair
- Parking Fees
- Public Transit Fees
- Roadside Assistance
Clothing
- Adults Clothing
- Kids Clothing
- Cleaning/Laundry
- Uniform/Work Clothes
- Shoes
Entertainment
- Date Night
- Entertainment
- Sports Activities
- Movies
- School Excursions
- Toys And Equipments
- Family Outing
- Friends’ Outing
- Massages
- Travel
- Road Trip
Utilities
- Electric
- Water
- Gas
- Trash
- Internet
- Phone/Mobile
- Cable
- Netflix/Streaming
Home
- Association Fee
- Yard Work
- Home Project
- Home Decor
- Household Items
- Cleaning Products
- Gardening Items
- Craft items
- Home Tools
- Replacement Items
- Organizing Supplies
Health
- Medicines/Prescriptions
- Doctor Bills
- Dentist
- Optometrist
- Vitamins
- Chiropractor
Personal
- Spouse 1 Spending Allowance
- Spouse 2 Spending Allowance
- Kids Spending Allowance
- Mani-Pedi
- Salon And Hair Care
- Beauty
- Gym/Yoga
- Kids After-school Program
- Childcare/Sitter
- Subscription
- Baby Supplies
- Technology
- Alcohol
- Hobbies
Pet
- Pet Food
- Vet Fees
- Pet Medicine
- Pet Vitamins
- Grooming
- Pet Toys
- Pet Accessories/Clothes
- Boarding
- Pet Sitter/Walker
Gift
- Birthday Gifts
- Special Occasion Gifts
- Donations
Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Health Insurance
- Homeowners/Renters Insurance
- Auto Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Identity Theft
- Long Term Care
- Pet Insurance
Educational
- Books
- Courses
- Back To School
Holiday
- Holiday Decor
- Holiday Entertainment
- Black Friday Shopping
- Cyber Monday Shopping
- Holiday Food
- Christmas Card
- Christmas Gifts
- Holiday Vacation
Miscellaneous
- Just Because Cash
FAQ
Yes, the cash envelope budgeting method works. Although it takes a lot of discipline and commitment, it is effective in curbing impulse buying.
Therefore, keeping you from overspending and helps you save more.
Every household budget is unique, so the amount of cash you will put in your cash envelope will depend on your monthly budget.
For example, if your monthly budget shows that your food budget is $300, then that will be the amount of money you will withdraw for your cash envelope.
If you have leftover envelope money, then you are doing a great job! What you will do with it depends on your financial goals.
You can reward yourself by buying something you want, or you can add it to your savings or your debt payment. Additionally, you can roll it over to next month’s budget.
Final Thoughts On The Budget Envelope Categories
The cash envelope budget system is a great way to budget your money and stick with it.
And there are a lot of cash envelope categories that you can use to streamline your expenses.
Any other cash envelope categories you can add?
Cash Envelope Related Articles:
- 21 Cash Envelope Templates That Will Inspire Your Budget
- Best Cash Envelope Wallet Organizers
- Simplifying Dave Ramsey Zero-Based Budget
- Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps List
- Budgeting Challenges And How To Deal With It
